Marker button setter



United States Patent Primary ExaminerJacob L. Nackenoff Attorney-Fulwider, Patton, Rieber, Lee & Utecht ABSTRACT: A marker button setter including a frame carried on supporting wheels and mounting an adhesive applicator, a marker button magazine, feed means for dispensing but tons from said magazine and a plunger for engaginga button held by the feed means to press buttons onto a charge of adhesive applied to the pavement by the applicator. The magazine includes a dispensing opening and the feed means includes an ejector which ejects buttons from such opening and also includes a carrier which holds the ejected button under the plunger for engagement thereby to set said button on such charge of adhesive. The applicator and plunger may be reciprocated forwardly and rearwardly on the frame to maintain them stationary with respect to the ground while they are active in applying the adhesive and button, respectively. Timing means is coupled with one of the wheels and actuates the applicator to apply a charge of adhesive to the pavement, then actuates the feed means to eject a button from the magazine and hold it for setting and thereafter actuates the plunger to set such button.

Patented Nov. 17, 197

Sheet 1 of 3 I N V E N TOR. JbH/v 0. Oman flrrae/vens Patented Nov. 17, 1970 Sheet INVENTOR. D 04x4 5;

Inna/ens MARKER BUTTON SETTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for automatically setting marker buttons at selected intervals on paved streets and freeways.

2. Description of Prior Art Prior art devices include chains or tracks which receive marker buttons from magazines. pass the button by an adhe-' sive applicator and then press the button onto the pavement. Such devices do not perform satisfactorily because the buttons frequently accidentally fall from the carrying track before they are to be set. A device of this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,187,879 issued to Johnson. There are no known prior art devices which apply a charge of adhesive to the pavement. eject a button from a magazine and thereafter, rapidly set such button on the charge of adhesive thereby bonding such button to the pavement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The marker setter of the present invention is characterized by an applicator which applies a charge of adhesive to the pavement'at predetermined.intervals. ejects a button from a button magazine and holds it while a plunger is actuated to press said button onto the charge ofadhcsive. Timing means is driven by a ground wheel to actuate the applicator, feed means and plunger to provide accurate placement of the buttons.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a marker setter embodying the present invention and being towed by a truck;

FIG. 2 is a top view. in enlarged scale, of the marker setter shown in FIG. I; 7

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view, in enlarged scale, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a-horizontal sectional view, in enlarged scale. taken along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a'vertical sectional view, in enlarged scale. taken along the lines 6-6 ofFIG. 5;'

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view. in enlarged scale. taken along the lines 77 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view. in enlarged scale. taken along the lines 8-8 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view. in enlarged scale. of the marker setter shown in FIG.'I;

FIG. I0 is a partial side view. in enlarged scale. of the marker setter shown in FIG. I;

FIG. II is a horizontal sectional view. in enlarged scale. taken along the lines 11-] I of FIG. 2'.

FIG. I2 is a vertical sectional view. in enlarged scale. taken along the lines I2-I2 of FIG. I I;

FIG. 13 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 1343 ofFIG. 12; and

FIG. I4 is a schematic of an electrical and pneumatic system which may be utilized with the marker setter shown in FIG. I.

DESCRIPTIONOF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the marker setter of present invention includes aframe F having a longitudinal track 21 on one side thereof for reciprocation thereon of an applicator A which dispenses epoxy and hardener. An open bottom marker button magazine M is mounted near the rear of the frame F and marker buttons B are selectively dispensed out the bottom thereof for receipt between fingers 33 and 35 (FIGS. 2 and 5) ot'a holder H. Such buttons are held by the holder H while it moves lorwardlyon the rail 21 and during 'the subsequent rearward reciprocation of such holder at plunger 41 (FIG. 3) is actuated to press the button B downwardly disengaging it from fingers 33 and '35 to press it onto the charge of epoxy and hardener thereby securing the button 8 permanently to the pavement.

Referring to FIG. I, the frame F includes longitudinal side channels 45 and 47 which are connected together at their front and rear ends by crossmembers 49 and 51. The rear crossmernber SI mounts a pair of pillow blocks 53 and 55 through which are journaled an axle rod 57 that mounts the rear support wheels W on its opposite ends. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2. a timing sprocket 6] is carried on the right hand extremity of the axle 57 and a magnetic clutch, generally designated 65,,is carried on the left extremity of the axle rod 57. The clutch includes a first portion 67 which is keyed to the axle rod 57 and a second portion 69 which is freely rotatable on the rod 57 and that drives a driver chain 71.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 9. the dri\e chain 7] drives a sprocket 72 carried on one end of a shaft 75 journaled in the frame F and the opposite end of such shaft rigidly mounts a sprocket 77 that drives a second drive chain 79. the other end of such chain 79 extending over a sprocket 81 carried rigidly on a shaft 82 journaled in the frame F and rigidly carrying a second sprocket 83. A tinting chain 87 extends over the sprocket 83 and has its forward end extended over a sprocket 88 carried rigidly on a shaft 89 which mounts a second sprocket 9| over which extends a drive chain 93. The front portion of the drive chain 93 extends over a sprocket 95 carried rigidly on a shaft 97 mounted from the frame F and rigidly mounting a second sprocket 99 over which extends a second timing chain I00. The front end of the timing chain I00 extends over a sprocket I01 carried rigidly from a shaft 102 journaled in the frame F and mounting a second sprocket I03 which drives a brake chain 107. the front end ofsuch chain extending over a brake sprocket I09 carried on a shaft lIljournaled through the beam 45 and rigidly mounting on its inner end one element ofa magnetic brake I13.

Referring to FIGS. land 2, the magazine M is open on both its top and bottom ends and, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. the

lower extremity of the magazine M is formed on its front side with a dispensing opening 115. Referring to FIG. 3, the ejector E includes a forwardly projecting holding plate I17 which has projecting from its forward extremity a pair of side-by-side. spaced apart. forwardly projecting tines H9 and I2] (FIG. 2) which are normally disposed under the open bottom of the magazine M and, by a double acting piston I25, such tines carry a button forward to the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 4. a vertically sliding door 129 is supported from the magazine M for covering the opening IIS and movement thereof is controlled by a pair of tension springs I30 and a pneumatic piston I3I.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the holder H and plunger 41 are carried from the rail 21 by means of a common housing I35 and the holder H includes a frame formed by a back plate 136 (FIG. 5) and a pair ofspaced apart rcarwardly projecting side walls I37 and-I38 which mount the holding fingers 33 and 35. respectively. by means of springs I39 and MI. Referring to FIG. 6. the fingers 33 and 35 are formed with confronting concave depressions I43 and 145 for cooperatively receiving opposite sides of the buttons 8 and releasing such button when it is struck by the plunger 41. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 9. the holder and plunger housing has a track depending therefrom. such track being formed by a pair of vertical. spaced apart. posts 149 and 151 which cooperate to form a vertical path 152 that receives a follower I53 projecting from the timing chain 87.

The applicator A also includes a vertical track comprised of a pair of vertical posts 159 and 161 depending therefrom and spaced apart to define a vertical path I63 for receipt of a follower I65 carried on the control chain 100 to effect reciprocation of the applicator A on the rail 21 as the chain 100 is rotated. l'he applicator A includes an application head which has a plurality of outlet orifices in its downwardly facing sur face which define a generally square pattern whereby the charge ofepoxy ejected therefrom defines a pattern which will accommodate either a round button B or a square button. The preferred embodiment is adapted to utilize epoxy and hardener at a one-to-one ratio to form the adhesive.

A dispensing unit 166 is mounted on the right-hand frame channel 47 for dispensing the epoxy and hardener to the applicator A in measured quantities through respective conduits 167 and 168. The dispensing unit 166 is available from Chemix Company, Box 391, Belmont, California, and is a slightly modified version of their Metcrite model 466. Rel'en ring to FIG. 11, the dispensing unit 166 includes a drive piston 169 having a control rod 170 projecting downwardly therefrom, such rod including a ball 171 on the end thereof for actuating on air valve 172 to limit upward movement of the piston. The switch 172 is carried on the lower end ofan adjustment rod 172a whereby the location ofthe switch 172 relative to the actuating ball 171 can readily be adjusted. Referring to FIG. 12, a fitting 173 is pivotally mounted on a pin 174 and is biased upwardly on its right hand end by a tension spring 174a to pull a pair ofplunger rods 175a and l75b,projecting from a valve housing 175, downwardly to pull epoxy and hardener into such housing. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a bracket 176 is carried intermediately on the piston rod 170 and has the projecting ends of a pair of plunger rods 177a and 177k connected thereto whereby as the right-hand end of the fitting 173 is pulled upwardly, the bracket 176 will be raised pushing the rods 177a and 177k and into the valve housing 175 and positioning the previously pulled in epoxy and hardener in the housing 175 for subsequent ejection.

The applicator A, magazine gate 129, ejector E, clutch 65 and brake 113 are controlled by a programcd timing wheel, generally designated 181, (FIG. 7) carried rigidly from a vertical shaft 183 supported from the the right-hand channel 47. The aforementioned timing sprocket 61 drives a drive chain 185 which is carried on a shaft 187 that acts through a gear box 189 to drive the shaft 183 at a rate determined by the ground speed ofthe monitored setter.

As will be explained hereinafter, the timing chains 87 and 100 maintain a'basic frequency for operation of the various described components but at selected times the program wheel 181 will prevent operation of such components to alter spacing ofthe marker button B.

Operation of the program wheel 181 and timing chains 87 and 100 can best be understood by referring to FIG. 14, wherein an applicator actuation microswitch 195 is diagram matically shown at the front portion of the tinting wheel 181 for sequential engagement by downwardly projecting posts or studs 197 (FIGS. 1 and 7). Still referring to FIG. 14, the switch 195 is connected by a lead 201 to a power source 202 which is represented by a battery but which would, in fact, be a generator and AC to DC converter. The switch 195 is connected in series with a timing chain microswitch 203 mounted in front of the sprocket 101 for engagement by a plurality of dogs 209 carried on the chain 101 to maintain such switch closed for a period of time during each revolution of such chain. Closure of the switch 203 passes current from the source 202, through lead 205 to an electric valve 211 to open such valve and provide air from a supply 213 to an air motor 215 of the epoxy unit 166 through a conduit 217.

With continued reference to FIG. 14, an ejector switch 221 is also supported at the front of the timing wheel 18] for sequential engagement by a plurality of peripheral strips 225 attached to the periphery of the wheel 181 by screws 227. It is noted that the strips 225 are ofvarious lengths to maintain the switch 221 closed for various selected periods oftime, the purpose of which will appear hcreinbelow. The stationary side of the switch 221 is connected with the source lead 201 by a lead 231 and such switch is connected in series with a timing chain ejector switch 235 by means of a lead 237. The switch 235 is closed periodically by a plurality of dogs 238 carried on the timing chain 87. The movable terminal of the switch 235 is connected with an electrical valve 239 by a lead 241. the inlet of such valve being connected with the air supply 213 by means of conduits 245 and 247. The outlet of the valve 239 is connected with the actuation end of the ejector drive piston by means of a conduit 249 and a second conduit 253 connects the outlet of such valve with the gate control piston 131. It is preferable to have the air path to the gate control piston 131 somewhat shorter than the path to the ejector piston 125 so the gate will be opened before the ejector E is actuated. The retraction end of the piston 125 is connected with the air supply 213 by means of conduits 257, 258 and electric valve 259. The coil of the valve 259 is connected with the power source 202 by leads 265, 267, 269 and a microswitch 271 (FIG. 3) mounted on the ejector E and disposed in the path of the housing of the holder H whereby such switch will be closed when the ejector E reaches the front end of its travel and the holder reaches the rear end ofits travel.

With continued reference to FIG. 14. a clutch control niicroswitch 275 is mounted at the rear ofthe tinting table 181 and is selectively engaged by arcuate cams 227 (FIG. 1) projecting downwardly from the underside ofthe table 181 to dis engage the clutch 65 for selected periods of time. The switch 275 is connected with the power source 202 by a lead 281 and is connected in series with a timing chain switch 283 by means of a lead 285. The movable terminal ofthe switch 283 is connected with the coil ofa relay 289, such relay including a normally closed switch 291 and a normally open switch 293. The normally closed switch 291 has its movable terminal connected with the power source 202 by means of leads 295 and 297, the lead 297 connecting with the source lead 267. The stationary terminal of the normally closed switch 291 is connected with the armature of the clutch 65 by means of a lead 301. The movable contact of the switch 293 is connected with the lead 297 by means of a lead 303 and the stationary contact of such switch is connected with the armature of the brake 113 by means of a lead 305. Referring to FIG. 9. the switch 283 is supported front the channel 45 and has its actuator aligned with a plurality ofdogs 309 carried on the chain100.

Referring to FIG. 14, the plunger 41 has its pneumatic cylinder connected with the conduit 245 leading from the pressure supply 213 by conduit 313 and 315 and an electric valve 317. The coil of the v valve 317 is connected with a plunger switch 319 by means ofa lead 321 and the stationary terminal of the switch 319 is connected with the lead 297 by means ofa lead 323. Referring to FIG. 9, the switch 319 has its actuator aligned with dogs 327 ofthe timing chain 87.

In operation the tongue 331 projecting from the front of the marker button setter is connected to the hitch ofa truck T and an operator sits in a seat 335 supported from the frame F and steers the setter by a steering wheel 339 to guide the setter along a guide line (not shown) defining the side of a traffic lane to be marked. Sitting in the back of the truck T is a barrel 341 of epoxy and a barrel 343 of hardener, the epoxy and hardener being drawn from the respective barrels by means of conduits 345 and 347 connected with dispenser 166. The air supply 213, in the form of an air compressor, is also carried in the back of the truck '1 and an electrical generator (not shown) is carried in the truck to serve as the power source 202. The on-off switch 351 is closed to provide electrical power from the source 202 to the clutch 65 through the lead 267. 297. 295, switch 291, and lead 301 to initiate turning of the drive chain 71 to drive the timing chains 87 and 100. At a predetermined distance from the starting point, a stud 197 on the program wheel 181 will close the applicator switch 195 and simultaneously the dogs 209 carried on the timing chain 100 will close the applicator switch 203 thereby actuating the mixing motor 215 to mix a measured amount of epoxy for sub sequent dispensation. The control piston 169 is then actuated to push the plungers a and 175!) into the housing 175 thereby ejecting previously stored adhesive through the applicator A as it is being pulled rearwardly on the rail 21 at the same speed at which the setter is traveling forward. While epoxy is being ejected the dogs 238 on the tinting chain 87 will engage the actuator of ejector switch 235, thereby closing the switch and, if the switch 221 in series therewith is closed, power will be provided to the valve 239 to admit air to the control piston 131 ofthe dispensing gate 129 and immediately thereafter provide air to the ejector piston 125 to drive the ejector E forwardly carrying button B in the magazine M forward on the fingers 119 and 121 and pushing it with the slightly elevated forward edge 352 ofthe holding plate 117.

Simultaneous with ejection of a button B by the ejector E, the holder H is brought into position against the magazine M and the ejected button B is fed between the fingers 33 and 35 (FIG. 2), the fingers being spread against the force ofthc support springs 139 and 141 to receive the opposite edges of the button in the arcuatc cavities 143 and 145 thereby holding the button firmly in position as the holder H commences its forward travel. Referring to FIG. 3, at the end of the forward travel of the ejector E the microswitch 271 carried on top thereof is engaged by the rear extremity of the holder housing 135 to close such switch and provide energy to the valve 259 thereby admitting air to the. retraction end of the ejector piston 125 to drive the ejector E rapidly forward. The follower 153 pulls the holder H to the forward end of its stroke and travels around the sprocket 87 and commences its rearward travel, at which time the dogs 327 carried on the control chain 87 engage and close the plunger switch 319 to actuate the plunger valve 317 thereby driving the plunger 41 downwardly into engagement with button B carried between the fingers 33 and 35 and pushing such button free from such fingers and onto the charge ofcpoxy deposited by the applicator A.

The above described actuation of the applicator A, ejector E, holder H, and plunger 41 will continue sequentially untilone of the arcuate pads 277 carried on the program table 181 engages the clutch switch 275. With the switch 275 closed, the next time the dogs 309 on timing chain 100 engage and close clutch switch 283, power will be supplied to the relay 289 to open the switch 291 releasing the clutch 65 and closing the switch 293 to energize the brake'113 and brake the train of chains, thus bringing the components to an immediate and positive stop. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, the arcuate pads 277 are of sufficient arcuate length to maintain the switch 275 closed while the dogs 309 actuate the switch 283 thereby providing accurate control of the time which the chain of trains is stopped.

It is of particular importance that actuation of the applicator A, ejector E, holder H and plunger 41 is synchronized by the timing chains 87 and 100 to thereby maintain accurate spacing of the buttons B. The program wheel 181 provides the pattern for dispensing the buttons 8 and for the arrangement shown it is particularly convenient to space the buttons at various multiples of length from one another. As an example, it will be assumed that four buttons are to be laid down at spaces of 3 feet from one another and that a 7V2 foot distance is then to be skipped to a point where another button will be set and that another 7%- 7% foot distance is then to be skipped to a point where another button will be set and that another 7V2 feet distance will be skipped and then four buttons will be spaced at 3 feet from one another and then feet will be skipped, after'which time the cycle will start over. The chains 87 and 100 should then be chosen to provide a complete revolution every 3 feet to thereby close the switches 203, 319 and 235 in the proper sequence to actuate the applicator A, ejector E, gate 131 and then the plunger 41. Accordingly, the first four posts 191 (FIGS. 1 and'8) will be spaced for closing the associatedswitch 195 at every three feet of travel to enable closing of'the switch 203 bythe timing chain 100 to eject adhesive charges at 3 feet intervals for the first four buttons 13. Also, the strips 225 (FIGS. 1 and 4) will be of sufficient length to maintain the ejector switch 221 closed for four revolutions of the control chain 87 whereby the dogs 238 will be effective to close the switch 235 on each revolution of such chain to claims.

open the gate 129 and actuate the ejector E to dispense a button. The plunger switch 319 is closed by the dogs 327 every revolutionot the chain 87 thereby setting each ofthc four buttons provided by the holder H. After the fourth button has been set, the wheel 181 is programed to skip 3 feet. then disengage the clutch 65 for l /z feet, and thereafter skip 3 more feet. The button at the first 3 foot distance is skipped by eliminating the applicator actuation stud 197 from the program table 181 thereby leaving the circuit to the applicator valve 211 open even though the switch 203 is closed by the dogs 209 on the chain 100. There will be no actuation strips 225 on the program wheel 181 so the ejector switch 221 will remain open, thereby maintaining the ejector E inoperable. To gain the additional 1% feet after the first 3 feet have been skipped, a clutch pad 227 will engage the switch 275 and maintain it closed while the dogs 309 carried on control chain close the switch 283 and maintain it closed for 1% feet of ground travel, after which time the above described process repeats itself to dispense and set another button 8 at the end of an additional 3 feet oftravel. Thereafter, the control chain 87 and 100 complete a revolution without the program wheel closing the switches or 221 thereby skipping a 3 foot length and at the end of that 3 foot length the clutch switches 275 and 283 are again closed by the program wheel 181 and dogs 309 to skip W; fect ofdistance and the switches) and 275 are then reopened to the 3 foot pattern thereby depositing a button at the end of 7% feet of travel. Strips 225 and posts 197 are than spaced around the program wheel 181 to provide for setting of four buttons at 3 foot intervals. Then to skip the 15 foot distance, the program wheel 181 turns a corresponding distance without closing the applicator switch 195 or ejector switch 221 thereby providing for five revolutions of the control chains 23 and 39 to accumulate the 15 foot distance. The aforedescribed procedure may be accomplished in one complete rotation of the program wheel 181 and thereafter the cycle may be started over to repeat the pattern.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the marker button setter of present invention is economical to manufacture and convenient to use. Such setter provides for accurate placement of the marker buttons and the spacing of such buttons can be conveniently altered by merely relocating the switch actuation components on the program wheel.

Various modifications and changes may be made with regard to the foregoing detailed description without departing from the spiritof the invention or the scope of the following lclaim:

1. A marker button setter, comprising:

a frame including support wheels for conveying said frame over pavement;

an applicator for applying a measured charge of adhesive at spaced intervals on said pavement;

button holding means;

feed meansfor selecting buttons from said holding means plunger means for engaging buttons held by said feed means and pressing said buttons onto said charges ofadhesive; timing means drivingly connected with one of said wheels for actuating said applicator to dispense a charge of adhesive, actuating said feed means to select buttons from said holding means, said timing means effecting synchronous I action of said applicator and plunger to set said buttons on the spaced adhesive charges; and

reciprocation means coupled with said timing means for moving said plunger rearwardly with respect to said frame at the same rate said button setter is moved forwardly.

2. A marker button setter as set forth in claim 1 wherein said timing means includes:

a clutch for being disengaged for predetermined period of time to render said timing means inoperable; and

means for disengaging said clutch for said predetermined periods oftimc.

3. A marker button setter as set forth in claim 1 that includes control means coupled with said timing means for moving said applicator rearwardly on said frame at the speed which said setter is moving forward to maintain said applicator stationary relative to said pavement while said charge ofadhesive is being applied and, thereafter. to move said applicator forwardly on said frame in preparation for dispensing another charge of adhesive.

4. A marker button setter as set forth in claim I wherein said timing means includes:

electrical circuit means including a motor for operating said applicator. a power source and lead connecting said source with said motor and including first and second switch means connected in series;

a periodic timing element coupled with one of said wheels for actuating said first switch means at predetermined distances ol'travel of said setter; and

a programmed timing element coupled with one of said wheels for actuating said second switch means at selected distances of travel of said setter whereby said programmed timing element can be programed to actuate said second switch means at selected times when said first switch means is actuated.

5. A marker button setter as set forth in claim 1 wherein said applicator includes means for adjusting the quantity of adhesive ejected in said charge.

6. A marker button setter as set forth in claim I wherein said timing means includes:

electrical circuit means including first and second switch said timing means includes a brake for braking said timing means for said predetermined period oftime.

8. A marker button setter as set forth in claim 2 wherein l5 said timing means includes:

electrical circuit means including first and second switch means connected in series for actuating said clutch;

a periodic timing element coupled with one of said wheels for actuating said first switch means at predetermined distances oftravel ofsaid setter; and

a programmed timing element coupled with one of said wheels for actuating said second switch means at selected distances of travel of said setter whereby said programmed timing element can be programmed to actuate said second switch means at selected times when said first switch means is actuated.

' UNITED ST AT'E PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent 3 l 54n 258 Dated Novembef 17 1970 Inventor( John P Oakley It is certified that error apnears 'in the above idcntifi ed and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown belowi r Column 5 lines. 57. and -58 after "7 (firs t 'occurrence) delete "7 foot distance is then tq be sklpped to a 1 point where another button will be set and that another 7 I. f q '4 I f 

